If I pull my GPA up to a 3.0 do I have any sort of chance? I've dropped out of college twice due to depression/struggling with ADHD in school, but I've finally clawed my way out of it. I'm 22 and I want to try for med school. Is it too late?

Focus on acquiring at least a 3.0 GPA. You've got too much going on. Mastering Spanish isn't going to give you a realistic competitive edge unless you're academically competitive with your peers. Emphasizing that you were self-taught and have a desire in helping regions with Hispanic speaking populations could show your dedication during your interviewing process but that's if you get an interview. I don't mean to offend anyone when I say that a majority of American pre-meds have a linear perspective of getting into medical school, in reality there is no blueprint into getting in. Check in with your advisor often if you find them helpful. Go to ratemyprofessor.com and seek professors and their classes that are fair and won't monopolize your life , those reviewing your application requirements will not know or care that you chose a class where an ochem professor grades easier than another. Instead of trying to learn Spanish, I would suggest looking into faculty who are doing research in a core science department. Send them all emails about your interest in assisting in their lab. Paid looks better than volunteer but beggars can't be choosers. Make sure its a position that gives you real responsibility and an opportunity to execute lab techniques like PCR.

Sit next to the most attentive and curious students in class, learn from them, form study groups with them, have their motivation and discipline rub off on you. Usually TAs recognize those who earnestly try their best, so with your newfound study group or on your own approach them as much as you can with concepts or problems you're struggling with. Get to know your graduate TAs as they talk with their supervisers about which students they favor because of their hard work, most professors love their TAs and trust their judgement since they are their extra eyes and ears. Your professors will recognize you, the departments talk about students all the time and you'll develop a good reputation. Ask for recommendations now that the faculty and staff are familiar with you, rise above a generic LOR.

Do an extracurricular that you love and volunteer at the hospital with a great supervisor. You'll make a lot of connections into the medical field and it'll reinforce your motivation to become a physician. If you can co-author on a research publication and present a poster at a research fair, that would be a plus. Do well on your MCATs, it had been the hardest exam I.had ever taken prior to entering medical school. Like I said, there's no blue print into medicine. Apply to post baccalaureate programs if your application still isn't competitive enough, if you do exceedingly well in them there are those that offer seats in their affiliated medical programs. Apply to Caribbean programs, DO, and international medical programs. There are so many choices, some harder as your options get farther away from home, but the first choice starts with choosing and dedicating yourself to this field. No one will care what medical school you went to, I guarantee it. Pre-meds emphasize that medical school is the most important component in becoming a physician. That's wrong. It's the residency training that matters and this should be held in the country you plan to practise in. Once you've passed all your boards no one will care what medical school you came from because completing your training speaks volumes. I'm excited for you, good luck with everything.

/r/medicalschool Thread